28th Annual Cruisin' Ocean City

May 17-18-19-20, 2018

27th Annual Cruisin' Ocean City

With close to perfect weather Cruisin 2017 could not have asked for better weather. The event featured close to 3,500 Hot Rods, Customs, Classics, Trick Truck and more cruisin the streets of Ocean City Maryland during the four day long automotive event. Participants came from over 20 states plus Canada! With so much to see and do, Cruisin 2017 was fun for all!

The epicenter of the event was the Inlet Parking Lot. With the beautiful beach on one side and the classic boardwalk on the other it makes for an ideal location for car shows. Leaving the Inlet one could visit various satellite car shows through out town including the Ocean City Convention Center, Crab Alley, Cowboy Coast, Embers Restaurant, Hooters Restaurant, Phillips Crabhouse, Phillips Seafood House, Pickles, Pit & Pub, and Seacrets, just to name a few. Throughout the weekend over 500 awards were selected by various businesses, town representatives, community leaders, event sponsors and others, which were presented at the daily award ceremonies and the Sunday Grand Finale Awards.

Special guest at this year's Cruisin, best known for his role as Ponch from the classic TV show "CHiPs," Erik Estrada was at the event Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Erik had a lot of fun meeting and greeting the fans. Also joining in on the fun, from the hit TV show "Counting Cars" Kevin Mack, was at the event signing autographs, posing for pics and talking about all the fun they have on the show. Plus children of all ages could sit inside the Flintstone Mobile show car which was on display inside the OC Convention Center.

Some of the country's top national names were showcasing their products in the manufacturers midway at the Inlet parking lot including Advance Auto Parts, AMSOIL, Cold Case, Comp Performance, Covercraft, Flaming River, Flowmaster, GEICO, GM Chevy Performance, Goodmark, Grundy, Holley Performance, K&N, KJR, March Performance, Meguiar's, Miller Electric Welding, Mothers, MSD, Optima, Pennzoil, QA1 Precision, Radley Chevrolet, Ridetech Suspension, Ron Francis Wiring, Slide-Lok, Speed Unlimited, Tremec Transmissions, USA Lifts and Wissel & Walsh Insurance. At the Convention Center there was Treasured Motorcar, Wears Woody and many other vendors selling automotive merchandise along with arts, crafts, jewelry, t-shirts plus other specialty items both inside and outside.

Rocking the stage to a sold out crowd Under the Streetlamp performed Thursday night at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center! This show featured stars from the hit Broadway show "Jersey Boys" and delivered an electrifying evening of classics from the American Radio songbook, bringing their unique blend of tight harmonies and slick dance moves to the audiences' favorite Doo Wop, Motown and old time Rock n Roll hits. The show received a standing ovation with everyone wanting more!

Express Auctioneers returned to Cruisin Ocean City Thursday May 18th and Friday May 19th for the OC Collector Car Auction inside the OC Convention Center. Lots of great rides went across the auction block and found a new owner at the sound of "SOLD!"

Friday night featured the "Friday Night Lights NEON & LED Show" at south first street and the boardwalk. Many cool rides displayed some gnarly lights and trophies were awarded to David Galban with a 68 Pontiac, Brian Cope with a 66 Chevy, Artie & Kathy Bunting with a 68 Chevy, Rich Hall with a 34 Ford, Bruno Quiles with a 72 Chevy, Leonardo Arce with a 72 Pontiac and Glen Katzemaier with a 76 Pontiac.

Saturday night the 3rd Annual Cruisin Pin Up Contest took place at the 28th Street Pit & Pub (link to http://pitandpub.com). A record number of lovely ladies were decked in their best pin up attire while the crowds cheered for their favorite. Over $500 in cash and prizes was awarded. First place went to "Betty B'Jay" Beth Ann Sooy, second place "Kat Monroe" Katie Zell, third place "Sophia Holley" Sophia Schaible, fourth place "Macey Mae Snap" Macey Holyak, fifth place "Miss Ginger Snap" Tammy Cope, sixth place "Miss Many Maw" Amanda Smihosky, seventh place "Byrdie Bel Air" Karen Bauswell and eighth place was awarded to "Babsi West," Lauren Groves.

Additional Cruisin Ocean City highlights were the special Boardwalk Parades that took place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Participants were able to take a cruise down the famous OC Boardwalk while spectators could sit back, relax and watch the cars go by.

On Sunday there was lots of excitement on the inlet stage. Starting things off was the Charity Banner Auction, which raised over $2,500 in ten minutes to benefit the American Cancer Society and Mayo United Methodist Church. Scholarships were awarded to six outstanding students, Sydney Herron, Daniel Howell, Ashley Saunders, Ryan Sauer, Alexis Ward and Morgan Whitman. This year's door prize theme was the beach, to get everyone ready for the upcoming BEACH BOYS Concert August 23rd (link to https://specialeventpro.com/concerts). Over $2,000 in cash and prizes were given out. Lucky participants could choose between items for the beach, including beach chairs, coolers, blue tooth speakers, corn hole boards and more. Many prizes had cash hidden in them. Two very generous participants donated the cash they won to go back to the charity banner auction!

Cruisier of the year was awarded to George Parkinson from Annapolis MD. George was helping a friend, Mark Sonnenlieter, rebuild his 1966 Chevy. In January of 2014 Mark lost his battle to cancer and left his car to George with the promise that he would have his car on the boardwalk opening day of Cruisin 2015, which also happened to be Mark's birthday. As Cruisin 2015 was fastly approaching George was having engine problems with the 66 Chevy so he swapped out the engine of his Chevelle to put in his late friend's car. On the first day of Cruisin in May 2015 George drove the 66 Chevy down the boardwalk in honor of his friend Mark, fulfilling his promise.

Finishing out the show was The Grand Finale Awards where participants took home some pretty big trophies! Before Cruisin came to an end there were more than 500 trophies, plaques and awards presented plus over 3,000 giveaways.

We hope everyone had a safe trip home and we look forward to seeing you at the 28th Annual Cruisin Ocean City May 17-18-19-20, 2018.

For additional information email infoevent@specialeventpro.com or call 410-798-6304.

For vendor information email Jacklyn@specialeventpro.com.

Please note the town of Ocean City has implemented a new trailer parking ordinance which prohibits trailer parking on city streets from May 1st - October 31st. Any Cruisin participants that will be parking a trailer on city streets will need a trailer parking permit. For more information on trailer parking please click here. When making your reservations please check with your hotel or condor to see if they provide trailer parking. A trailer parking permit application will be added to the website as the event gets closer.

2017 Event
Highlights Event Coverage:
OC Vettes Event Coverage:
Past 10 Years Event Coverage:
Muscle Car Gallery